India Thrash South Korea 8-1 to Storm Into Asian Champions Trophy Final, Set Up Japan Clash

Five-time champions India stormed into the men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 final with a commanding 8-1 victory over South Korea in the semifinal on Wednesday, extending their unbeaten run in the tournament.

India will now face Japan in Thursday’s title clash, marking their record-extending seventh appearance in the final.

Shilanand Lakra and Dilpreet Singh scored two goals each, while captain Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Angad Bir Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad also got on the scoresheet.

Lakra opened India’s account in the fourth minute before Harmanpreet converted a penalty corner in the ninth minute. South Korea briefly pulled one back through Sangjun Han, but Lakra restored India’s two-goal advantage in the 13th minute.

India intensified their attack in the second quarter, scoring three goals within five minutes. Sukhjeet and Dilpreet struck in the 21st minute, before Dilpreet completed his brace in the 25th minute to give India a commanding 6-1 half-time lead.

Angad Bir Singh extended the advantage in the 36th minute, while Vivek Sagar Prasad completed the rout with a goal in the 54th minute.

India also dominated penalty corners, earning four compared to South Korea’s none. The hosts had earlier beaten South Korea 8-0 in the league stage.

Meanwhile, Japan defeated Malaysia 5-3 in a penalty shootout after their semifinal ended goalless in regulation time.

India head coach Craig Fulton praised the team’s first-half performance but cautioned that Japan would be a difficult opponent in the final. He also said injured striker Abhishek was close to recovery but would not be rushed back.